Fifty States and/or Dollars?
Ryburn, Joe (2009-4-22)

>>JOE: Alright, now that the camera's on, my writing story is kind of an odd one because it has to do with high school, and as we all know anything in high school is a little strange. Because let's face it, that's when you're growing up and that's when you realize life is bizarre. 

Back in high school we had a writing competition. I was 15 or 16; I don't know if you call it sophomore, my high school system was really weird. But we had a "why I love America or patriotism" competition. And I'm not against patriotism, I do like America. I am American. It would be a little ironic if I didn't. 

So, I chose to write an essay. And at first I wanted to write a good one. Then I decided satire. I had to shoot for something just berating the whole reason behind it. So i wrote this big, long essay of a page and a half, and I did it in all of 30 minutes in the middle of gifted and talented class. We had to write a paper in these as is just to show we knew what MLA style was. 

And I remember looking back at this essay. It was the worst thing I've ever written because I used the word "great" over twenty times in a page and a half. [Sound cuts out momentarily] "...by the great military forces in giving us our great education system". 

And I remember sitting there in the actual auditorium as they're announcing the winners, and they called out my name and the first that comes to mind is "my name?" I thought I was in trouble. And the next thing I know, I'm up there, they're handing my 50 dollars, and I'm walking away with 50 dollars, 16 years old, wondering how they misinterpreted the most satirical piece of junk I've ever written. And ever since then, I've liked writing.